PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Secret Service released information Tuesday delineating exactly how much of downtown Pittsburgh will be closed during the 2009 Pittsburgh G-20 Summit. How close protesters will be able to get remains unknown, but the perimeters are closer than many people may have thought.The Secret Service established perimeters around the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where the G-20 Summit will be held.WTAE Channel 4's Jon Greiner reported there was talk of blocking off nearly all of downtown, but that's not the case at all.World leaders will convene at the G-20 Summit at the convention center on Sept. 24 and 25. Until Tuesday night, downtown businesses and residents didn't know how handicapped they'd be by security."We've tried to relate to them that we want them to stay open. We don't want to see downtown closed," said Michael Huss, the city's public safety director.The Secret Service plans to fence off an area immediately surrounding the convention center. To get inside the quarantined area, pedestrians will have to pass through metal detectors at 9th Street and Penn Avenue, or 10th Street and Liberty Avenue.A larger area surrounding the convention center will be closed to vehicular traffic, but pedestrians can pass through. What remained unknown was how close protesters can get to the convention center, but that information may become available as early as Wednesday."The rule of thumb and the law is that they've got to be within eyeshot, and, you know, that doesn't mean on one of the hillsides overlooking the convention center. I mean, it's got to be within a few blocks," said Vic Walczak, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania.Downtown businesses have feared the threat of protesters doing damage, but many now said they'll remain open after seeing the perimeter map."I mean, there are checkpoints and everything -- metal detectors, Secret Service agents around -- so we're cautiously optimistic," said Nathan Cooper, of Seviche."I'm the only salon involved," said Christine Goodis, of Salon Christine. "I'm thrilled to have the company and the exposure to speak to people from all over the world.""Some of the businesses down here are concerned that their regulars won't drop by," said George Riel, a patron at a downtown restaurant. When asked if he will patronize downtown businesses during the G-20 Summit, he said, "Absolutely, I will. Give me a place to park and I'll be here."The city of Pittsburgh has established a new G-20 Web site where re....

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What Is The G-20?

G-20 -- the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- was established in 1999 "to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy," according to its Web site, G20.org.Countries from all over the world -- including the U.S., Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are involved in the G-20 summit. The gathering typically attracts a variety of protesters from around the world. In April, London saw mostly peaceful protests about economic policy, the banking system and bankers' bonuses, climate change concerns and the war on terror.Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 SummitDuring the last G-20, a peaceful protest dubbed "Financial Fools' Day" was held April 1 by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group. Members and supporters gathered in Market Square before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.More Info: What IS G-20?Official Web Site: PittsburghG20.org
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